Latest news with #PuebloWest
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hitting the Books: Gov. Polis pays special visit to 'Blue Ribbon' Skyview Middle School
Only four schools in Colorado and 356 schools in the nation can claim the title of 2024 National Blue Ribbon School. Skyview Middle School, 1047 Camino DeBravo in Pueblo West, is one of them. While representatives of the school had already visited Washington D.C. on Nov. 8, 2024, to receive a Blue Ribbon School award in the "Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing Schools" category from the U.S. Department of Education, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis visited Skyview Middle School on May 19, 2025, to congratulate the school once more. "It's amazing to see the magic that goes on here at Skyview, how they're preparing students for success, and I'm glad to help lend our state recognition to the important national recognition of the Blue Ribbon," Polis said during the visit. Polis also praised the school's career and technical education offerings, including criminology, in a conversation with the Chieftain. Skyview Principal Wendy James told the Chieftain on May 19 that the school receiving a Blue Ribbon Award is a result of the work the school has done to "meet students where they are academically." "It's a combination of meeting kids where they are if they need enrichment or if they need educational support," James said. "We are constantly looking at data every week, and it's fluid, especially our students that are in support classes — if they're showing growth and they're able to maintain that, then we pull that support away to see if they can maintain that on their own." The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has presented Irving Elementary School, Minnequa Elementary and Sunset Park Elementary School with 'Center of Excellence" awards — an honor bestowed upon schools with at-risk populations of at least 75% that demonstrate significant longitudinal growth. "It's always inspiring to see schools leading the way with innovative approaches and a deep commitment to their students,' CDE Commissioner Susana Córdova said in a Pueblo D60 news release. 'The awards for these schools remind us what's possible when educators, families, and communities work together to create meaningful opportunities for every learner.' Principals Jaime Schwab of Irving Elementary, Katie Harshman of Minnequa Elementary, and Amber Hertneky of Sunset Park Elementary accepted the Center of Excellence awards at Colorado State University's Spur campus on May 16. GOAL High School, a statewide alternative education campus founded in Pueblo, has received 2025 Denver Post Top Workplace Culture Excellence awards in three categories — "Culture Excellence," "Purpose & Values" and "Work-Life Flexibility." The awards were based on anonymous feedback from an employee engagement survey 'We are incredibly honored to receive these awards," GOAL CEO Constance Jones said in a news release. "Our staff's commitment to a positive and supportive environment enhances our mission. As a woman-led organization, we take immense pride in promoting leadership, diversity and inclusivity." Graduations: 2025 graduation season is here. Here's where ceremonies are happening in Pueblo Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@ Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Polis visits Skyview Middle, Pueblo schools get state awards and more
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pueblo West narrowly approves joining water authority with Aurora, Pueblo and others
The Pueblo West Metro board narrowly approved participating in a regional water authority that is working on a plan to build a water storage reservoir near Boone. During the board's past two meetings, discussions have focused on whether Pueblo West would benefit from participating in the Restoration and Yield Authority Establishment Agreement. Pueblo West joined forces with a group consisting of Aurora, Colorado Springs, the Pueblo Board of Water Works, Fountain and the Southeastern Water Conservancy District in 2015 as part of an intergovernmental agreement. In 2021, Pueblo West pitched in $142,000 to help purchase land near Boone, where the group has plans to build a reservoir on Hanes Creek that will be used to store water, especially in high water years. With a 4.76% share in the reservoir, Pueblo West could have a little more than 200 acre-feet of water storage available. Board Vice President Joe Mahaney said during the May 12 meeting that he believes the effort would be "participating in what I would call an evaporation pond around Boone," questioning whether the reservoir could benefit Pueblo West. Deputy Director of Utilities Jeffrey DeHerrera explained that a future board could opt out of participating in the cost to build the reservoir if it was determined to be a "waste of money" for Pueblo West. He pointed out that Pueblo West's participation in the Restoration and Yield group so far has helped participating water users "come a long way on regional collaboration." Brian Gray, a Pueblo West Board member, said he believes it is important to have a seat at the table, especially if Pueblo West purchases more water rights that can allow the community to continue to grow. Board Treasurer Brian Axworthy agreed, pointing out a future reservoir could help Pueblo West better manage its water portfolio. The board voted 3-2 to approve participation in the authority with Gray, Axworthy and Board President Doug Proal voting in favor, and Mahaney and Board Secretary Bill Vickers voting against the resolution. The board also gave unanimous approval to a lease plan that will allow the nonprofit Grid Alternatives to build a community solar farm on a 7.5-acre portion of metro district property located a half-mile northeast of Walmart between East McCulloch and Industrial boulevards. The ground array system would supply Black Hills Energy users, resulting in a 20% to 30% savings on subscribers' electric bills. The lease will generate $5,250 in annual rent for the metro district and that payment will increase slightly each year during the 20-year lease period. Construction is expected to begin in 2026. More: Pueblo West board election: 3 new members appear headed for election, 2 incumbents trailing Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@ or via X at Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: With growth in mind, Pueblo West OKs joining regional water authority
